Page 66 of The Immortal’s Mark

The pleading gleam in their blue depths.

I believe her.

She didn’t know about my powers.

But how is that possible?

“Surely, you knew her magic would surface by her twenty-first birthday,” Des counters, sharing my thoughts. “Yet…you left her to cope alone.”

Accusation hangs heavy in the air.

My mother lowers her gaze. “I did not believe she would have powers.”

Why not?

“This is neither the time nor the place for this conversation,” Charmian interrupts, flicking her fingers.

My mother steps back into the V-formation.

Charmian shifts her attention to Master Ben. “Is there something else the clan wishes to ask?”

The warlock clears his throat. “When we spoke with the vampire king, he requested our assistance in searching for Lord Thane’s wife.”

Des dips his chin. “That is correct.”

The warlock’s gaze slides to the right. To Alex.

“The Nightsbane Clan does not like to involve ourselves in Immortal feuds,” Master Ben continues, voice low. “But King Alexander has been an invaluable ally over the years, and he insisted we lend our help.”

King Alexander?

Des turns away from the vampire. I want to scream for him to look back so I can judge Alex’s expression.

Thane shifts forward. Hope and desperation mix with his next words. “Your assistance will be greatly rewarded. We are eager to find my wife.”

My head spins.

Hasn’t Thane been adamant about not including half-breeds in the search?

Things must have gotten worse for the manic Immortal to change his tune.

“I am sure.” Master Ben glances at Charmian, as if he needs permission to say his next words. “But my clan cannot afford to make an enemy of Adir. He is…formidable.”

“No.” Des’s voice is cold. “What you cannot afford to do is sit on the sidelines. If Adir topples the Council, no human or half-breed will be safe. He and his lesser Immortals will grind this world down for power until there’s nothing left but husks and ruins.”

Master Ben’s face pales. “It cannot be as bad as that.”

“I’m afraid it is.” Charmian’s eyes trail over his face, then the other six cloaked figures. “It is why I insisted you heed King Alexander’s invitation to come speak with us. The Nightsbane clan cannot afford to stay out of this conflict.”

“Mother Charmian?” A quiet female voice rises from the rear of the formation. “Why not request another clan’s involvement? Nightsbane grows smaller with every generation. We cannot afford to lose any more members.”

Lome scoffs. “As if you would be doing the fighting.”

The hooded woman bows low.

“There will be danger,” Charmian says, sparing Lome a scowl. “Make no mistake about that. But Nightsbane is the strongest clan, and the one with the most clairvoyants. If anyone can see Bella’s location, it is one of you. You know the other clans will not take the risk. And even if they did, they do not have the abilities of Nightsbane.”

“I propose only three of us stay behind to help the alliance,” a masculine voice calls out from behind Master Ben. “The rest of us must return to the clan.”